Highlights

Galassi Bellows "Know the People" Interview, Castelfidardo - Italy

"Know the People" of Castelfidardo who have made this small city so famous around the world for their quality accordion products. Interview at: 2017Galassi

Picture below: Renzo Galassi with his parents, Rino and Vanda who began the business in 1948 and even today, work daily in the factory.

The National Centre for Folk Arts at Halsway Manor - UK

by Diatonic News

The National Centre for Folk Arts at Halsway Manor is a charity and the only residential centre in the world concentrating on the varied folk heritage of England. Nestling in the Quantock Hills within an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, it hosts courses, events and projects within this unique and magical setting. Set in six beautiful acres of gardens and grounds the manor has a warm and welcoming atmosphere, a range of comfortable bedrooms, great food and a beautiful panelled bar.

For over 50 years Halsway Manor has hosted unique experiences and inspired thousands of people to experience the diverse dance, song, music and art found in our green and pleasant lands. Unique in the UK it hosts over 340 days of residential and outreach activity every year covering all facets of folk arts from instrumental music, song and dance to traditional storytelling, crafts and instrument making. We are committed to excellence and opportunity for all with a broad programme that covers amateur exploration, professional development, the creation of new work and stewardship of our heritage.

Halsway Manor is listed by English Heritage as Grade II*; the house is late 15th century with 19th century additions. Set in 6 acres of woodland and gardens, the manor’s seclusion and the warm and friendly atmosphere is much appreciated by its many supporters as being highly conducive for educational/learning activities both residential (it sleeps up to 65 people) and through our outreach programme.

The manor houses the Kennedy Grant Library, a nationally important collection of about 10,000 books and recordings of folklore, customs, traditional folk music, dance and song, it is the second largest library of its type in the UK.

For full information upon all events see:https://halswaymanor.org.uk/about/what-is-halsway-manor/

8th March 1908 "International Women's Day" - WORLDWIDE

by Diatonic News

A Mimosa - to all women of this world !

In memory of the 129 women killed on the 8th of March 1908 in New York/USA!

Image dedicated by Roberto Mangosi to all diatonic accordion ladies throughout the world !

Info: The mimosa (technically, the Silver Wattle) is the symbol of the celebrations of Women's day in Italy and Russia

100th year celebration of the death of Paolo Soprani – Castelfidardo/Italy

by Diatonic News

In presence of the niece of Paolo Soprani, Mrs. Elena Soprani big celebrations took place in Castelfidardo, the 20th of February in the Auditorium San Francesco.

The city hall of Castelfidardo with collaboration of the Circolo Culturale Filatelico Numismatico “F.Matassoli” with its compere Pigini hosted a unique event to honour Castelfidardos most important citican Paolo Soprani, who gave birth to the production of Accordions in the small city Castelfidardo.

For this special occation a personalized stamp was put into circolation by the Luxembourg Post Office.

The students of the local Music School Paolo Soprani have lively animated the event with music.

To complete this day of remembering – an evening concert took place in the Theatre Astra with Luigi Presta, who won this cocert during the PIF2017 and Manuel Marchegiani, winner of the #CategoriaVarieté PIF2017 student of M° Renzo Ruggieri, artistic director of the #PIF2018

Internationale Musikmesse 2018 Frankfurt - Germany

by Diatonic News

Musikmesse in Frankfurt is the international trade fair for musical instruments, sheet music, music production and marketing.

◾Wednesday 11 April to Saturday 14 April 2018, from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.◾open daily for Trade and Private visitors◾More than 30.000 instruments shown in seven exhibition halls◾Outdoor area with festival atmosphere: Stages, Foodtrucks and more◾Prolight + Sound: Tuesday, 11 April to Friday 14 April, new on the eastern section of Messe Frankfurt

The Frankfurt Musikmesse is the world's leading trade fair for the world of music. There, you will find a complete range of products with everything required for making music, not to mention innumerable workshops, concerts, demonstrations and discussion events.

This year all "free reed instruments" will be exposed in HALL 8/Groundfloor - so, get ready for this event and do not miss!!!

Tejano Music Awards 2018 - Texas/USA

by Diatonic News

The Tejano Music Awards Fan Fair 2018 will take place at the Historic Market Square San Antonio, Texas from March 15th until 18th, 2018

Texas Talent Musicians Association is a non-profit 501 (c) 3 organization whose purpose is to promote professional excellence; a better understanding and greater appreciation for Tejano music; and to provide a public forum for songwriters, performers and musicians in order to recognize their artistic efforts and achievements through the annual Tejano Music Awards and related events. Texas Talent Musicians Association is based in San Antonio, Texas: “The Tejano Music Capital Of The World.”®

4 days full of music on many stages with an endless list of performers.

As performers are subject to changes - check out the below webiste for acurate indications.

Natioinal Folk Festival Canberra - Australia

by Diatonic News

From high-end entertainment to the expression of folk-life through grassroots and community activities our multifaceted National Folk Festival is the ultimate celebration of all things folk. The program is designed to inspire, enliven and entertain. From traditional and contemporary grooves to the quirky and the endearing it features all the key elements that make people want to come from everywhere to be part of it.

http://folkfestival.org.au/

19th International Accordion Festival, Vienna – Austria

by Diatonic News

This year’s annual International Accordion Festival, a month long major event, will be held from February 24th to March 25th at various venues in Vienna. The festival includes lots of formal and informal concerts and also some silent movies with accordion accompaniment.

The festival’s founder and organizer is Friedl Preisl (picture left), who says that 2018 will feature over 50 artists from many countries, performing at 14 different venues. Friedl Preisl received the CIA Award “Honored Friend of the Accordion” in 2009 for his outstanding contribution to the accordion.

Masterclass with Saul Rose | Melodion - Canberra/Australia

by Diatonic News

Canberry from 29th March until 2nd of April 2018

Saul was a long time member of Waterson:Carthy, winning two BBC Radio 2 Folk Awards with ‘Broken Ground’ and forming a duo with Eliza Carthy. He is a founder member of new folk big band Eliza Carthy and The Wayward band. He has played on numerous albums as a guest, including Jackie Oates’ album ‘Hyperboreans’, Norma Waterson and Eliza Carthy’s album ‘The Gift’ and the soundtrack for the films ‘Morris- A Life With Bells On’ and ‘Far From The Madding Crowd’. He was nominated for the Musician of The Year award in the 2010 BBC Folk Awards and during 2011 took the part of Songman in the West End play War Horse.

image One of the England’s leading melodeon experts, and tutor with the English Youth Folk Ensemble, Folkworks and Melodeons at Witney, Saul welcomes melodeon players of all ages and abilities as he looks at every aspect of the instrument. Melodies, ornamentation, and embellishment, chords and accompaniment will be addressed, as well as repertoire and instrument maintenance.

A fun and friendly group for those wishing to learn the D/G melodeon. For absolute beginners, Ed has boxes available to borrow by prior arrangement – contact him on 01363 774426 – or bring your own DG box if you have one.

Term dates are as follows: 9 March, 6 April, 11 May 8 June and 20 July.The workshop runs from 11am till 1pm, followed by a light lunch included in the price.

Who’s it For?

Total beginners! This is for those who have never so much as picked-up a melodeon before. You don’t need prior musical experience, and you don’t need to read music (Ed will teach you to read music as the course progresses). Everyone, all ages, is welcome.

Concertina week-ends in Nijmegen - Holland

A weekend music and walking in the beautiful surroundings of Berg en Dal led by Mark Söhngen and Hilbert Post. Arrival Friday from 17.00 hours (dinner), end Sunday 16.00 hours.

The workshop... A sensitive minor Waltz, a sensual tango, a languid blues or a swinging polka? The right notes play is one thing, but how do you get such a melody than depending on sensitive or sensual or loom or swinging soft? Mark's grandmother used to say: "C'est le ton qui fait la musique". Therefore: in this workshop to be looked at how one can transfer notes into music: how to make a show, how do you present yourself, how to use the bellows - short, long, soft, hard, how to use your bellows, etc.

All on C/F and evt. G/C on the basis of a pair of beautiful, sensitive, sensual, lome and swinging melodies from the rich repertoire (and that is often more than you think) trekharmonikaspeler can choose, from all sorts of genres, from pop music to folk Bal.

Book quickly at: http://www.marksohngen.nl/Workshops.htm

Corofin Traditional Festival 2018 - Ireland

by Diatonic News

Tuesday February 27th – March 4th 2018

Music, music, music and dance + masterclasses for the Corofin Traditional Festival.

Make sure you participate if you are around this aerea during the 4 days. For exact information upon all concerts and other timings visit:

No previous experience required, although manual dexterity and basic woodworking skills are an advantage. All tools are provided, but it is helpful if participants can bring a few basic hand tools eg screwdrivers, craft knife, pliers etc. Emmanuel is experienced in working with novice makers, and Chris Mash will also be on hand to offer practical support and to make sure all builds are kept on track. Tuning is done on site by industry expert Theo Gibb.

Each participant will need to decide:•a tonality: D/G, G/C, A/D, etc…•a layout with 10/9/6 buttons or 11/10/4 and 14 or 12 basses. You can view a D/G layout chart, a G/C layout chart here, and an A/D layout chart here with Emmanuel’s suggested layouts for each; if you are new to the 2.5 row, it’s recommended you take Emmanuel’s layout.•reeds (Binci a mano): choose either MM (with one register to play with or without tremollo) or LM (2 registers, to play M, L, or LM).•an inlay line (max 8mm, visit www.marechaux.fr)•black or white buttons•grille design – two available – standard or lyre

Apparently the course is very much requested and fully booked for 2018 - so if you wish to learn more about it - book early for 2019 and contact:

„The accordion is manhandled in a manner that hammers intensive shamanism into wolfram carbide, in a furnace of growling, throat-bellowing and progressive surrealism. (…) the listener has the sense of having visited the furthermost frontiers of unexplainability.“rootsworld.com

Geno Delafose Cajun @ Rock 'n' Bowl - USA

by Diatonic News

Thursday, March 1st, 2018cajun, zydeco, & swamp pop

Geno Delafose (born February 6, 1972 in Eunice, Louisiana) is a zydeco accordionist and singer. He is one of the younger generations of the genre who has created the sound known as the nouveau zydeco. His sound is deeply rooted in traditional Creole music with strong influences from Cajun music and also country and western. His father is the famous zydeco accordion player John Delafose.

Delafose was born and raised in Eunice, Louisiana. At the age of eight, he joined his father’s band, the Eunice Playboys as a rubboard player and continued to play with the band until his father’s death in 1994. He also appeared on the several of the bands recordings. He switched to the accordion in the early 1990s and started to play as an opening act for his father. In 1994, he debuted with album French Rockin’ Boogie on Rounder Records. The name of this album also became the name of his band with whom he still plays with today

The D/G Melodeon Chord book by Ed Rennie - UK

A book by Ed Rennie on chords with well set out with easy-to-use reference and full of technical details. unique guide to the use of chords on right hand treble keyboard of diatonic button accordions.

The first half of the book is a comprehensive yet clearly comprehendible explanation of the theory of chord structures which would be useful to students of any instrument. The second half of the book shows, in clearly laid out tabulated fashion, the fingering for all possible chords on this instrument with ample space left for the student to add additional fingerings they may discover.